Bulldog Boys Look to Finish Season Strong

The Hampton-Dumont-CAL Bulldog boys basketball team has been very competitive throughout their tough NCC schedule.  A conference that features three ranked class 3A teams makes it tough to win conference games.  The Bulldogs have maintained a competitive nature even though it is not showing up in the win column.

On Tuesday, February 7th the Boys team traveled to Fort Dodge for an NCC game with the Saint Edmond Gaels.  The game got off to a slow start with both teams playing tough defense.  At the end of the first quarter the Gaels led 9-7. In the second  both teams would pick up the offensive pace, but the Gaels only added to their lead to bring it to 27-22.  At halftime the Bulldogs would make some defensive adjustments which helped them regain their composure and the second half would be all Bulldogs who took away a 60-50 win, pushing their record to 6-12 overall and a 4-7 conference record.  Scott Harr would lead the way offensively for the Bulldogs with 21 points and 11 rebounds.  Tucker Heeren added 15 more, going 5 for 10 from behind the three point arc.  Will Sackville added 10 rebounds and 5 assists.

Thursday night the Bulldogs hosted a non-conference game against the Algona Garrigan Golden Bears.  The Bulldogs would again start the game a little slow offensively and the Golden Bears capitalized, taking a 37-29 lead into the half.  The Bulldogs would make adjustments at halftime though and came out of the locker room on fire.  Behind a big third quarter from Scott Harr and Tucker Heeren the Bulldogs regained the lead and never gave it up, winning the game 65-62.  Harr led the way with yet another double-double, scoring 24 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Heeren would add 19 points.  The win improved the Bulldogs record to 7-12 for the season.  

Friday night the H-D-CAL Bulldogs made the long trip to Algona for the battle of the Bulldogs.  H-D-CAL would continue their momentum from earlier in the week in the first quarter, building a slight 18-17 lead.  Algona adjusted to the hot start in response and held H-D-CAL to a 5 point second quarter.  At the half Algona would lead 39-23. H-D-CAL was not able to close the gap in the second and Algonasecured a 70-60 win.  The loss dropped the Bulldogs record to 7-13 overall and 4-8 in the NCC.  Harr again leads the Bulldogs with 27 points with 8 rebounds.  Will Sackville added 15 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.  

Hampton-Dumont-CAL wraps up their regular season with a home game against the 2nd ranked Clear Lake Lions on Valentine's Day Tuesday February 14th.  The boys await their tournament placement, but will have a week to prepare for their opening round game.